September 11, 2001 was a day of unspeakable violence and
outrage, but also a day of heroism and sacrifice. As endangered
and terrified men and women struggled to make their way out of
burning, collapsing buildings, firemen, police officers and
emergency rescue personnel struggled to make their way in.

Many - we don't know how many yet - never made it out.

Even as we continue to hold out hope that more of these
brave Americans will be found alive, it is my duty as Attorney
General to begin the process of providing relief to the families
of public safety officers who sacrificed so that others might
survive the attacks of September 11.

The Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act of 1976 provides
for approximately $150,000 in benefits to the families of law
enforcement officers, firemen, emergency response squad members
and ambulance crew members who are killed in the line of duty.

This morning, President Bush directed me immediately
to implement procedures streamlining the application and approval
process of claims for benefits under this act.

Pursuant to the President's directive, the Department of
Justice this morning has taken the following actions to expedite
the delivery of benefits to public safety officers' families:

First, the existing regulations under the Public Safety
Officers Benefits Act require that officers' families and
employing agencies fill out individual forms certifying that the
officer was killed in the line of duty, that no disqualifying
circumstances were present, and that the officer was, in fact,
related to the family members seeking benefits.

These regulations direct the Bureau of Justice Assistance to
give substantial weight to evidence presented by Federal, state
and local agencies and to resolve in favor of payment any
reasonable doubt concerning the circumstances of the officer's
permanent disability or death.

In view of the unprecedented loss of life and debilitating
injuries to public safety officers, I have directed, pursuant to
President Bush's request, that this process be streamlined.

I am directing the Office of Justice Programs to exercise
the full scope of its discretion under the statute and
regulations to accept applications, consider evidence justifying
claims and to process prompt payment of benefits.

In cases in which benefits are sought by survivors of
officers killed in the line of duty on September 11, I am
directing that blanket certifications from executives of public
safety agencies be considered as evidence of eligibility without
requiring further individualized documentation.

In addition, the family claim form will be abbreviated.

Second, the Department of Justice's Office of Justice
Programs is immediately making available additional resources to
see that the claims of fallen officers' families are processed as
quickly as possible.

- Staff are being brought in to New York and elsewhere to
assist with case processing.

- A separate computer data base is being established to
expedite and monitor case processing.

- Lawyers from the Office of Justice Programs are
immediately reviewing all cases from New York.

- Office of Justice Programs staff are also being sent to
New York to assist with family contacts and the
assembly of claim packages, including the gathering of
pertinent records.

- Office of Justice Programs representatives will be
available on-site, if requested, to pre-certify
claim packages as complete. These representatives
will also work with the Treasury Department to
expedite payments to families once claims are
approved.

The provision of benefits is an insufficient but necessary
response on behalf of the American people to the unknown number
of firemen, law enforcement officers and medical rescue personnel
who died answering the call of their fellow citizens on September
11.

It is President Bush's and my hope that the actions being
announced today will provide a measure of relief to the husbands
and wives and children left behind.

And I know that it is the nation's hope that this assistance
will stand as a gesture of our inexpressible gratitude, as well
as a small tribute to the honor of their sacrifice.

Today, I announced with the Treasury Department a step that
has been taken to provide additional security at airports across
the country.

As airports re-open and resume air travel, there will be a
substantially increased security presence on the ground at
designated security checkpoints throughout the country.

The Departments of Justice and Treasury have deployed
hundreds of agents of the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border
Patrol, and U.S. Customs as part of a broad effort by federal law
enforcement authorities to provide a larger police presence at
airports in addition to the heightened security procedures
already put into effect.

We will take all necessary precautions to protect American
travelers.

Lastly, our nation calls on us to be at our best in order to
prevail in these very difficult times.

Since Tuesday the Justice Department has received reports of
violence and threats of violence against Arab-Americans and other
Americans of Middle Eastern and South Asian descents.

We must not descend to the level of those who perpetrated
Tuesday's violence by targeting individuals based on their race,
their religion, or their national origin.

Such reports of violence and threats are in direct
opposition to the very principles and laws of the United States
and will not be tolerated.

I now have a few updates with regard to the ongoing
investigation:

Legal attaches around the world are receiving enormous
cooperation from law enforcement authorities in their host
countries in the process of following up on leads. We have
also received numerous offers for help from other countries
if needed. We are grateful for the assistance being
offered.

With regard to federal law enforcement personnel casualties.
There is one FBI agent assigned to the New York field office
who is missing. Three U.S. Marshals who are assigned to the
Southern District of New York sustained minor injuries. We
are also in the process of collecting information
nationwide regarding loss of life and casualties among law
enforcement personnel.

As of this morning the FBI's leads hotline has received
2,055 phone calls. Some of the leads have been helpful to
the investigation. The leads website has received more than
22,700 suggested tips.

The FBI is working over 3,000 leads.

None of the black boxes has been recovered yet, however we
believe retrieval of the
black box at the Somerset County is most feasible in the
short term.

The total number of hijackers on the four planes that
crashed was at least 18.